Tens of thousands of foreign students will still be allowed to come to the UK
to attend private language schools for almost a year despite a crackdown on
the visa system.

Migrants wanting to study English can attend courses for up to 11 months after the Government virtually doubled the period they are allowed to stay here.

The so-called student visitor route will also be excluded from the separate measures announced earlier this month that will bar longer term students from studying anything below a degree.

The move fuelled concerns that migrants will be able to exploit an easy route in to the country and then disappear or work on the black market. Private colleges, and specifically some private language schools have been at the centre of immigration abuse over the years.

Figures last month disclosed that there has been a 40 per cent rise in the number of bogus colleges, many of which are attended by foreign students. Most offer non-degree or language courses.

The figures also showed one in five foreigners who came to study in 2004 was still in Britain five years later.

Last year alone more than 37,000 students arrived under the student visitor route, with the majority coming to learn English.

Currently, anyone arriving as a student visitor can stay for no more than six months. The aim was to allow migrants to come and study short courses without facing the full impact of the points based system.

But Damian Green, the immigration minister, has now extended the period of leave to 11 months for those who are specifically attended English languages courses.

He said the decision was taken followed representations from the sector who were concerned that the current six months was not long enough from some of the courses on offer.

Under the system students visitors will not be able to work, bring dependants with them or switch to other immigration routes while here.

Sir Andrew Green, chairman of Migrationwatch, said: "This must be watched very carefully.

It is potentially a serious loophole as some of these colleges are selling immigration not education and they are leaving the taxpayer to pick up the costs of the illegal overstaying that results.

"In theory they are not supposed to work but the controls are very weak and they might well be taking jobs from British students, which nowadays need them more than ever."

"I shall monitor closely the practical impact to ensure that it does not become a loophole."

He added: "Exporting the English language is vital to promote UK Plc, not only for business but also for our standing as a world leader in education."

Tony Millns, chief executive of English UK, which represents 440 language centres, said: "This change to the student visitor maximum length will provide a route for English language students who are relative beginners and are likely to need a course longer than six months.

"We will monitor how this change works in practice, and will respond to the consultation on student visas, but welcome this as a positive interim move by the UK Border Agency."